Read More

“The manager at the time, Graham Taylor, was struggling for a top-class alternative if Alan wasn’t fit.

“It’s the same now. What’s the plan if Harry Kane suffers a long-term injury? England’s go-to man has an exceptional fitness record – this is the first season that he has really been out of action for any length of time at Tottenham .

“It hasn’t affected England, so far,” said Ince. “But what would we do if he did suffer a problem?

“That’s why I think Gareth should take the opportunity this week to give Wilson the first hour at least against the Czech Republic.

Paul Ince feels Wilson should be given a chance to shine for Three Lions (Image: Sunday Mirror)

Read More

And Ince believes there is another reason why Kane should be benched – just to show that no one is ­guaranteed their name on the team-sheet.

He said: “The other point to note is that competition really does make ­people value their places – it mattered to yours truly – although it nearly cost me. I’m not suggesting Kane should be looking over his shoulder at Wilson.

“But it does people good to know there is competition for every place in the team.

“I remember in ’92 at Manchester United and we beat Leeds at Old Trafford.

Read More

“Bryan Robson and me were up against David Batty and Gary McAllister – it was a real battle.

“Batty had been in the England team for a while, but I thought I’d been good enough to join him for some time and was pretty annoyed I had been overlooked.

“Brian Kidd was our assistant manager in those days and came to find me in the players’ lounge, saying the gaffer wanted a word with me. I went up to Sir Alex’s office and he said, ‘Congratulations, you are in the England squad for the friendly against Spain next week’.

“I said to the boss, ‘Tell Graham ­Taylor I’m not going’.

Paul Ince and Paul Gascoigne celebrate after England drew with Italy 0-0 and qualified for the 1998 World Cup in Rome on October 11, 1997 (Image: Reuters)